Effect of air velocity on surface EMC in the drying of red oak lumber

The effect of air velocity (AV) on board surface moisture content (MC) and near surface profile in the drying of 25-mm red oak was investigated. AVs of 1.02, 3.05, and 5.08 m/s were tested. Increasing the AV substantially reduced the surface (100-mu depth) MC of lumber below the expected equilibrium MC (EMC) conditions set in the dryer. To the best of our knowledge, these effects of AV have not been previously investigated or reported in this manner. Thus, this work provides additional information towards explaining and predicting the EMC of wood and improving the existing models pertaining thereto. Increasing the AV also notably influenced the near-surface (0- to 2-mm depth) and through-board moisture gradients. The near-surface moisture gradient for 1.02 m/s was markedly different than that for the 3.05 and 5.08 m/s velocities.

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